Whiffletree-hook



(N0 Model.) I

J. B. WILLIAMS.

WHIPFLETREE 300K.

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JACMES B. \VILLIAMS, OF GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT.

WHiFFLETREE-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,265, dated April 1, 1884.

Application filed Angustil, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

.Be it known that I, Janus B. WILLIAMs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glastonbury, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Whiffletree-Hooks; and I do declare the following tov be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to whifdetree-hooks or devices for fastening traces to whifiietrees; and

it consists of a spindle that is fixed in each end of the whiffietree and carries afixed button and a movable button, the contiguous faces of which are recessed, so that when the movable button is turned to a right angle with thefixed button said recessed buttons will interlock under the pressure of a spring that is carried on the spindle, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating my in vention, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved whiffletree-hook. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, the buttons being aligned for the passage of. the cockeye or opening in the end of the trace. Fig. 3. is an end view of the device as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows the movable button turned at a right angle to the fixed button andlocked therewith.

Fig. 5 illustrates amodification in the position of the lockingspring. Fig. 6 represents a modified form of spindle. Fig. 'Fis asection on the line x a: of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective of one of the buttons. Fig. 9 isa top view of whifiletree with a cap on its end, and Fig. 10 is an end view of said cap.

Like letters of reference are used to designate like parts in the several views.

In each end of the whiffletree A is screwed or driven a spindle, B, that carries a disk or washer, G, which abuts against the end of the enlarged shouldered portion or body of the spindle, as shown in Figs. 2, 4., and 5, this enlarged portion of the spindle being flush with the end of the whiffietree, against which the washer C also abuts, as shown in Fig. 2. The

projecting portion of the spindle carries a fixed button, D, which is preferably oblong or chip I tical in shape, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8. The

spindle also carries amovable button, E, which corresponds to the fixed button in form and size. These buttons are arranged in contact with each other, and their contiguous faces are re cessed at a, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 8, so that the buttons maybe locked together when turned at right angles. That portion, 12, of the spindle B which is between the washer G and the fixed button D forms abearing for the trace F, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It

will be seen that when the buttons D and E are aligned, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cockeye or opening in the end of the trace can be passed over the buttons and onto the spindle, whereitis secured by turning the movable button B, so that its recess c will engage with the recess in the face of the fixed button, the movable button being held in this position at a right angle to thefixed button D by the pressure of a spring, G, that is arranged on the spindle. By drawingthe button E slightly away from the fixed button D, the former maybe readily turned into alignment with the latter, so as to enable the trace to be detached. It will be observed that the ends of the recesses a a, formed in the contiguous faces of the buttons, are beveled, so as to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the parts.

The spring G, which is arranged beyond or to the outer side-of the trace-bearing b, may be of any desired form, a flat or semi-elliptic spring, however, being deemedpreferable. This spring may be placed either on the end of the spindle, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, or it may be arranged between the buttons D and E, as shown in Fig. 5. When aflat or semi-elliptic spring is used, the ends of the button E are provided with lugs or bearings c c for the ends of such spring, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, a central bearing for the spring being afforded either within the recessed portion of the'button D, when the spring is placed between thebuttons, or by means of asniall washer, d, on the end of the spindle, when the spring is arranged on the outer side of the movable button. This washer may be held upon the spindle by any suitable means.

It is obvious that the lugs c 0, that are formed on the ends of the button to afford a bearing for the ends of the spring G, can be extended, if desired, around the edge of the button, so as to form a flange to protect the spring, as well as keep it in position.

The trace-bearing b, or that portion of the spindle between the washer G and the fixed button, may be of a cylindrical orother suitable form, the non-circular or partly-elliptical form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, however, being preferable, as affording a firm bearing for a wrench in turning the spindle into the end of the whifiletree, while at the same time it presents no sharp corners that would be liable to cut the trace. This construction also forms a shoulder that can be used in driving thespindle into the whiffletree without battering the end of the spindle.

If desired, the disk or washer C may be made in one piece with the band 6, that is applied to the end of the whiffletree, thus forming a cap or ferrule, 0, Figs. 9 and 10, through which the spindle passes. cially intended to be used in connection with the non-circular form of trace-bearing shown in Figs. 6 and 7, an elongated partly-elliptical opening, f, being formed in the end of the cap or washer, as shown in Fig. 10,which opening corresponds in form with said tracebearing, one end of which fits in the opening f, so that all liability of twisting or turning the parts is obviated. This cap or ferrule O is provided with wings or straps g 9, that may be secured to the whiffletree by means of screws or rivets, as shown in Fig. 9.

This construction is espe- Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A whiffletree-hook having,in combination outside of its trace bearing, a stationary and a movable recessed button and a flat spring to keep the buttons in contact, one of said buttons having a flange or lug at each end or, around its edge, for the purpose of keeping in, position and protecting the spring, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a whiffletree-hook, a flat spring rotating on its center, in combination with a recessed or flanged button, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination,with the whiffletree A, provided with a spindle, B, having a partlyelliptical trace-bearing, b, and a recessed button, D, fixed to the spindle at the outer end of said bearing, of the movable recessed button E, having lugs or bearings c c, the spring G, arranged on the spindle at the outer side of the trace-bearing, and the cap 0, having wings g g and provided with an end opening corresponding with the form of the trace-bearing, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES B. WILLIAMS.

Vitnesses:

A. R. BROWN, E. L. WHITE. 

